Sweet Path Around a Very Salty Lake

Between the desert and the sea, about 30 miles southeast of Indio, is an intriguing, sunbaked shoreline, quite unlike any other locale in the California desert.

About 18 miles of Salton Sea shoreline within the Salton Sea State Recreation Area invites the camper, angler, swimmer and sunbather. Hikers will enjoy Ironwood Nature Trail, which explores the shoreline between the Visitors Center and Mecca Beach.

The 15-mile-wide, 35-mile-long Salton Sea was formed in 1905 when Colorado River flood waters overwhelmed an Imperial Valley dike during construction of the All-American Canal. For two years water poured into the Salton Sink, an ancient seabed.

Surrounding rivers, washes and canals continue to refill the lake with a combination of rainwater and agricultural runoff. Fertilizers and other minerals contribute to the high salinity (more than 10% saltier than the Pacific Ocean) of the Salton Sea. Scientists are researching the sea’s odd chemistry and environmental conditions in order to determine why there are occasional massive bird deaths along the shoreline. Researchers are also investigating a severe case of bird botulism that decimated the park’s white pelican population this summer.

The Salton Sea’s unusual combination of desert and aquatic environments attracts a wide variety (about 350 species have been counted) of birds. Most noticeable of the feathered visitors and residers are geese, particularly the loud-honking Canada geese that fly here in their distinctive V-shaped formation. Also easy to spot are the large snow geese and the Ross geese, white geese that are similar to, but smaller than, the snow geese.

You can learn more about the origins, present dilemmas and possible ecological fate of the Salton Sea at the Visitors Center, located near the park’s harbor. Obtain a nature trail brochure and walk to the trail head, or drive to Campsite 32 in the headquarters campground known as Los Frijoles Camp.

Plan to catch some rays or take a swim at trail’s end. Sandy Mecca Beach is a popular swimming area. Showers are available to wash off the film of salt and plankton that coats the swimmer.

Directions to trail head: Salton Sea State Recreation Area can be reached from Indio via California 111 south.

The hike: From the campground, enjoy the 30-stop nature trail that explores everything from salt to salt cedars to smoke trees. When you reach Mecca Beach, you can either return via the nature trail or by picking your own route closer to shore.

If you want to extend your walk, continue walking along the shoreline to undeveloped Corvina Beach Campground or as far as you choose.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Ironwood Nature Trail

WHERE: Salton Sea State Recreation Area.

DISTANCE: Visitor Center to Mecca Beach is 2 miles round trip; to Corvina Beach is 4 1/2 miles round trip.

TERRAIN: Salton Sea shoreline.

HIGHLIGHTS: Abundant desert flora; swimming, beach.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Salton Sea State Recreation Area, P.O. Box 3166, North Shore, CA 92254; tel. (619) 393-3052.